UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USACONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONSPRESS RELEASE

Pray and Offer Help, as Super Typhoon Leaves Path of Destruction in the Philippines

The Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA in cooperation with the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) kindly requests prayers for the victims of the devastating storm in the Philippines, where one of the most powerful storms to ever make landfall has slammed into the Philippines, setting off landslides, cutting off power and communications across the country, and forcing nearly 720,000 people to evacuate from towns and villages in Typhoon Haiyan's path. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is reaching out through partners to assess the emerging needs and appropriate response in the Philippines.

Reminiscent of the powerful "Superstorm Sandy" that made landfall in the United States just over a year ago, widespread damage and the loss of human lives of the devastating storm in the Philippines is real in the aftermath.

Please keep the victims of this devastating storm and the people of the Philippines in your thoughts and prayers.

“Lord, Who calmed the storm at sea: Quiet the fears. Ease the pain. Tend the grief and light the darkness of your children in Philippines as they are faced with the consequences of devastating Typhoon. Be the voice of the injured. Shelter the waiting. Blanket the weary with your tender touch.

May those who have lost homes and properties find shelter, enough food and clean water. Comfort those who are traumatized and those who are grieving for the loss of their families, neighbors and friends. Bless those who are sick and those who are injured that their health may be restored and their wounds cured. May you lead all who are stranded or lost back to those who love them. Guide the hands of the rescuers, the doctors and nurses and other volunteers and give them strength as they serve others with joy.

Shake us from our comfort to share our sisters’ and brothers' sorrow and burden. May this tragedy bring people closer together, to help each other and to care for the environment. Give us the faith, the hope and the love to carry on. For You are a Merciful and Loving God and unto you do we ascribe glory: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen."

HOW YOU CAN HELP

You can help the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, by making a financial gift to the International Emergency Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief as well as long-term support through the provision of emergency aid, recovery assistance and other support to help those in need.

IOCC is the official humanitarian aid agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has delivered more than $400 million in relief and development programs to families and communities in 50 countries.